Traffic Management Center (TMC)

monitors with traffic displays for the ITS room

Centennial Public Works aims to deliver excellence with its traffic management services for those who are traveling in and through the City. With a newly expanded Traffic Management Center (TMC), the team uses Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) to improve transportation-related safety and mobility issues and to enhance operational efficiency.

ITS leverages sensors, electronics and technologies to implement traffic improvements in a strategic, cohesive way. This can include a variety of tools and applications, such as advanced traffic signal controllers to weather stations, pan-tilt-zoom cameras for monitoring traffic conditions, real-time adaptive traffic signal operations and more. The information and insights are then synthesized in the TMC where ITS professionals monitor traffic flow, spot patterns and identify ways to enhance efficiency. ITS is a key part of Smart City/Smart Community efforts, which takes data from these and other sources beyond transportation to manage City assets and resources more efficiently, resulting ideally in an improved quality of life for constituents as well as a stronger and more connected community.

ITS Implementation

In 2017, the cities of Centennial, Greenwood Village and Lone Tree collaborated to reduce traffic congestion across jurisdictional boundaries, on Yosemite St. between Lincoln Ave. and Belleview Ave. An adaptive signal system and sensors were installed enabling the timing of signals to be adjusted in real time as traffic patterns and volumes change throughout the day. In October 2020, this collaboration was deemed a success identified as the first step in the City’s ITS Master Plan implementation.

View the City's ITS Master Plan(PDF, 5MB)

Next Steps

Centennial is currently installing additional necessary components and connections to enable deployment of adaptive traffic signal operations at the following City-owned and operated traffic signals on the following arterial corridors by the end of 2025:

  • Arapahoe Rd.
  • Dry Creek Rd.
  • Jordan Rd.
  • Smoky Hill Rd.
  • Himalaya St.

View a map of upcoming ITS project locations(PDF, 928KB).

Traffic Management Center Operations

With approximately 65 CCTV cameras connected through Centennial’s FiberWorks network, the Traffic Management Center (TMC) operations monitor traffic flow, spot patterns and identify ways to enhance efficiency. This state-of-the-art center also works closely with partner agencies to keep traffic moving safely and efficiently.

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